Rylands Way, Saturday 4 October 2003

Two errors from two set pieces cost Bassett dear as high flying Slimbridge overcame a battling Bassett by two goals to nil. The goals came from Steve Badham and Rich Moore.

Bassett without forwards Geoff Swatton and Matt Bennett were nearly behind in the first two minutes of the game when a through ball from Andy Pritchett was latched onto by Julian Freeman who, with no room to turn, fed the ball back to Rich Moore but Moore's shot was too weak and Rich Stevens collected easily.

Slimbridge continued to threaten Bassett in the early stages of the match but Bassett's defence - lead by player of the month Paul Davis – shut them out.

On thirteen minutes Bassett created their first chance of the game when Carl Taylor and Mark Vaughan combined to play through Ben Gascoyne who laid the ball back to Rich Willis, but Willis fired over from twenty five yards out.

Bassett had another good chance nine minutes later when Mark Vaughan volleyed wide from eighteen yards after receiving a Neil Bridges pass, following an Andy Pritchett error.

Chances were few and far between in a scrappy first half with neither team creating many clear cut openings. The difference between the two sides though was Slimbridge did take advantage of the few chances they were able to create.

This was illustrated in the twenty eighth minute when Danny Clayton was caught napping from a Pritchett free kick which fell to Steve Badham who made no mistake of slotting home making it one nothing Slimbridge.

Bassett's hero against Carterton in midweek – Neil Bridges was presented with a chance on the half hour mark but his twenty yard effort was well saved by Slimbridge 'keeper Ryan Chandler.

Julian Freeman hit wide an Edward Ward cross in the thirty second minute before seven minutes later, with the last chance of the half, Rich Moore scored from a Ross Casey flick on which Rich Stevens spilled.

The second half began like the first with most of the play being played in the middle of the park. Slimbridge created the first opening twelve minutes after the restart when Freeman headed wide a Moore free kick.

Two minutes later Ben Gascoyne was given a golden opportunity for Bassett after going past two Slimbridge defenders, but his shot from the edge of the box was too weak as the ball rolled well wide.

Bassett made a change on the hour mark as Sam Reason returned to the fray, replacing Mark Vaughan.

Bassett were then dealt another injury blow as Neil Bridges had to be carried off on a stretcher after seventy two minutes as he fell to the ground awkwardly on his ankle; Richard Gee replaced him. Fortunately for Bassett the injury to Bridges turned out not to be serious.

Bassett continued to battle but couldn't quite create an opening. Slimbridge, however, did and continued to pressure the Bassett defence when eleven minutes from time Badham had a thirty yard effort saved well by Stevens.

Chris Hawkins then replaced Andy Hallett to give Bassett another attacking option but this change came to no avail as Bassett continued to threaten into injury time but just couldn't find a goal to pull themselves back into the game.

In the end two stupid mistakes from dead ball situations cost Bassett again, although Slimbridge had to fight to get all three points.

Manager's Man of the Match: Ben Gascoyne

Scoop's Man of the Match: Carl Taylor – battled hard all game and caused Slimbridge trouble down the right wing.

Scoop Rating: 7/10 – A good performance but two lapses in concentration lost Bassett the game.

Credit: Stuart Smedley
Last modified on Thursday 3rd September 2020 at 10:24